  As students return to school, September’s newsletter will focus on school for our pets – training! Many people believe training is just for dogs, but all animals can be trained. September is Responsible Pet Owner Month and positively reinforcing a desired outcome can result in a happier, healthier pet. For example, cats can be trained to go into a carrier to go to the veterinarian. If your animal is not stressed for the car ride, your calm pet can receive a more thorough exam and hopefully avoid the need for sedation.
September is also Happy Cat Month. Last month’s newsletter focused on enrichment and how your indoor cat’s environment is so important. Animals, if bored due to a lack of stimulation, will sometimes get into trouble. Providing a new “toy” might make your cat happier. The plastic ring (from a cap) or foil (crumpled into a dime sized ball) are some of my cats’ favorite toys. Cats also like to play with string and ribbon but, as a responsible pet owner, I know that string/ribbon can only be played with when there is direct supervision. Cats sometimes will swallow string/ribbon/thread and such a linear foreign body can require a very expensive surgery to remove from their stomach or intestines. So after play, please put the string in a cat proof location.
Lastly, I have to mention an increasing health problem in cats - obesity. Obesity makes it harder for cats to play, explore, and generally be happy cats. Obesity often leads to severe chronic arthritis, diabetes and other serious health concerns. It’s in the pet’s best interest for pet owners to work with their veterinarian and create a weight loss plan and then monitor their progress. Food puzzles can serve as a tool to help slow down how fast your cat eats while also providing the mental stimulation as they “work” for their food.
There are many resources for cat training to help responsible owners provide the best possible life for their feline friends. Check out these websites for cat training tips!
Kitten Training Tips
Cat Training the Easy Way
Cat Clicker Training
 Dr. Barbara Hanek,
Veterinarian Administrator
Successful positive reinforcement training is all about rewarding your animal for when they offer desired behaviors. This image gives some great examples of behaviors you can say "Yes!" to.
Start Your Walk On the Right Foot
Tools for successful training by Officer Anderson
Training can mean a lot of hard work for dogs and their people, but let’s not make it harder by using the wrong tools. Methods that rely on hurting or scaring our dogs may suppress undesirable behaviors, but they do not change the emotional response causing the behavior and will often make it worse over time. Even what our dogs wear can mean the difference between creating successful habits or aggravating bad behaviors. When starting training, switch to a martingale collar - avoid choke chains or prong collars. Martingale collars complete the same task without causing pain or fear.
We always recommend the use of a harness as well. The best types of harness for training, especially to train against pulling on a leash, include a “Freedom harness” or an “Easy walk”. Both these harnesses clip in the front and back, allowing you more control. As the dog pulls, the harness redirects the dog towards you, causing the dog to go the opposite of the desired direction during the pull. We also advise using a 6-foot, non-retractable leash. This leash gives you more control by keeping the dog closer to you, not allowing wandering and is less likely to break when pulled. Last but not least, the most important tool for proper training is treats. Every time your dog gives a desired behavior, do not be afraid to reward them. Find which treats your dog likes best and offer a highly valued treat for hard behaviors. This will keep a strong bond, and the dog will want to train with you. With these tools, you will have a higher chance of success with training!
A dog is only as successful as its trainer and sometimes we need to call in additional help. Click on the picture of Officer Anderson to download our recommended list of canine professionals in the Chicagoland area.
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 Wendy is unimpressed by the myth that you can't train cats. She is an incredibly smart feline and would love to be Queen Bee in a quiet home, no small children please! Wendy loves her independence and showing off all the cool things she's learning. Click on the picture to see a video of her expertly high-fiving one of DCAS' cat volunteers! One of our long-stay residents, Wendy has been waiting a long time for her new home. Are you looking for a sassy addition to your kingdom? Look no further!
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Do you have a passion for helping homeless animals? DuPage County Animal Services has many open positions.
Find job openings by following these steps:
- Visit: https://www.dupageco.org/jobs/
- Select "View Job Opportunities County Board Departments"
- Filer by Job Category "Animal Services"
- Select each job position to learn more.
Fill out an application today!
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Want to add a friendly feline to your house? Sign up for our Falling for Felines event on September 18th from 9am-12pm.
Submit your application and then contact a staff member to secure your time slot!
- Meet all of our adoptable cats and kittens
- 50% off Adoption Fees
- Goodie bags to take home with your new family member
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Temporarily, DCAS is suspending operating hours on Saturdays.
Current Hours are:
- Monday: 8am-7pm
- Tuesday-Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
- Thursday: 8am-7pm
- Friday: 8am-4:30pm
- Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED
Join us at 7pm select Thursday nights in September! Follow the links provided to register.
Feathered Friends
Thursday, 09/16/2021
From tiny hummingbirds to enormous eagles, learn all about Chicagoland’s native birds and how we can live peacefully with these wonderful animals. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3z2Ww5x
Canine Concerns
Thursday, 09/23/2021
They’re our best friends, but there’s a lot we don’t understand about dogs. Learn about common dog behaviors, the natural instincts behind them, and how to manage those behaviors that aren’t so fun to live with. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/2S2Cqba
Choosing a Pet Professional
Thursday, 09/30/2021
We all need pet professionals: dog walkers, groomers, trainers, veterinarians etc. How those professionals work with the animals is extremely important. Learn what to look for in an animal care professional. Registration Link: https://bit.ly/3yVwYqW
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